Definition: Generate the answer for a given question. The question requires common knowledge of English. Make sure that the answer is in detail, long, consistent with the context, and requires general knowledge of English. To be less repetitive, please vary your language for each question. Give a proper explanation to answer, and if necessary, provide the definition of various terms. And conclude your answer if it's long. If you have used other resources (e.g., Merriam Webster's.) to answer the question, include citations in your answer. You don't need to paraphrase the context of your resources, but make sure that your answer is consistent and complete.
Input: Persistence and perseverance seem to have very similar definitions. Googling shows persistence: Firm or obstinate continuance in a course of action in spite of difficulty or opposition. perseverance: Steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. What is the difference between them?.
Output:
'Persistence' is used in the sense of 'stubborn' (obstinate). There could be a slight negative connotation. For example: The telemarketers persistently called us. We don't say they 'perseverantly' called us. 'Persistent' is used when there continuing action, and the purpose is either bad, or neutral, and sometimes(rarely) good. 'Perseverance', is used when the purpose is good. That is, you're doing something to help someone, or to achieve a desirable goal, such as climbing Mt. Everest. Depending on how you feel on something, you could use 'perseverance'/'Persistence'. For example, the telemarketer calling you, could annoy you, and you could call him 'obstinately persistent'. But to the marketer, you might be to him, a tough customer, and he might seem to himself 'bravely perseverant in trying to persuade this tough customer.' As you can see, it gives a different 'feel' about the thing described.